Let there be light! In your homes, we mean. If you’ve been keeping up with the latest studies, you know that lighting can affect everything from your sleeping patterns to your mood. All the more reason to take the lighting arrangements of every room seriously!
So, what’s the best way to light each room in the house? Ultimately, it comes down to your personal tastes, but there are a few handy guidelines to keep in mind.
Discover the keys to stylish, functional, mood-boosting interior lighting below:
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In the Kitchen:
Focus on overhead lighting, preferably with a dimmer so you can brighten the place up when cooking. Then add pendants, under-cabinet lights, and other lower sources to illuminate task-oriented spaces such as counter-tops. A sturdy desk lamp isn’t a bad idea for areas where you do a lot of work, but keep it away from the sink!
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In the Living Room:
A number of fixtures should illuminate this important room. In fact, consider the following interior lighting tactic: Plant fixtures in three of the four corners, mixing it up between table lamps and floor lamps. (Ensure that some lamps are cast up and others down.) Use one of the downward-glowing lamps to show off an artistic flourish, such as a striking plant, to add a little personality to the room. Overhead lighting should come with a dimmer so you can choose between a mellow or lively mood.
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In the Bathroom:
Tons of homeowners make the same interior lighting mistake when it comes to the bathroom — and that’s using overhead lighting in front of the mirror. For ideal makeup lighting, light the mirror from both sides using wall sconces, which should be placed at eye level for best results. Add an overhead light to fill in the shadows, and add a second one over the shower if your master bath is the size of a small kingdom.
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In the Bedroom:
The mood you should shoot for is cozy and intimate, so soft lighting is ideal. Think low-wattage wall sconces or reading lamps on either side of the bed. If you have recessed or track lighting overhead, be sure to cast the glow away from the bed, focusing on dressing areas instead.
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In the Dining Room:
A bright light from an overhead pendant or chandelier welcomes everyone to the table! Other than that, your dining’s room interior lighting should be soft and flattering, making use of sconces or small table lamps. If your furniture includes a glass-front cabinet, placing battery-powered fixtures mimicking candlelight inside can be a stylish addition.
Great tips, especially for those of us who are getting alittle older! The lighting can make all the difference in any room of the house. Once I went to work with one navy sock and the other sock was black! I can mention numerous times, in several rooms of the house, that better lighting was needed. So again, another very informative blog! As my Mother used to say, “you put some light on the subject”!!
That’s a funny story, thanks for sharing with everyone! I sure do miss Grandmom!